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2. Nephila spider male aggregation : preference for optimal female size and web clusteringMatjaž Kuntner, Maj Kuntner, Eva Kuntner, Alexandra Bogožalec Košir, Irena Kuntner, Viktorija Tomič, Jana Faganeli Pucer, Erik Štrumbelj, Daiqin Li, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Sexual size dimorphism theory predicts biased operational sex ratios (OSRs) and an uneven distribution of males among certain females. We studied this phenomenon through a field census of the giant wood spider Nephila pilipes (family Nephilidae) in Singapore, a species where females are, on average, 6.9 times larger than males. Specifically, we tested two hypotheses concerning male distribution, given their tendency to aggregate in certain female webs. The optimal female size hypothesis predicts that males would predominantly occupy webs of intermediate-sized females. The web clustering hypothesis posits that more males would be found in webs closer together compared to those farther apart. Our snapshot census revealed a female-biased OSR (females: males = 1.85) with an uneven distribution of males in female webs. Most males were found in webs of intermediate-sized females aligning with the optimal female size hypothesis. Proximity among female webs was indicative of male presence, lending support to the web clustering hypothesis. While our study's limited sample size warrants caution, we conclude that in N. pilipes, male occupation of female webs is facilitated by the clustering of webs, and males prefer to cohabit with optimally sized, receptive females.
Keywords: sexual size dimorphism, operational sex ratios (OSRs), male distribution, optimal female size hypothesis, web clustering hypothesis, female-biased OSR, intermediate-sized females, proximity of webs, male aggregation, arachnology, behavioral ecology, environmental zoology
Published in DiRROS: 03.09.2024; Views: 71; Downloads: 46
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3. Occurence of Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus in SloveniaDejan Bordjan, Erik Šinigoj, 2011, other scientific articles Abstract: The article presents all known observations of the introduced Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus made in Slovenia till the end of 2011. In Feb 2005, and eventually on 2 and 8 Mar 2008, a single individual was observed at Renče Clay Pits in the Vipava Valley while on 28 Oct 2010 two individuals were recorded only 2 km away at the confluence of the Lijak Stream and Vipava River (UTM UL98, SW Slovenia). The authors of the article presume that these individuals were escapees from the nearby pond situated along the Keramix factory at Volčja draga, where Egyptian Geese have been bred for a number of years as ornamental animals. On 8 Aug 2011, one individual was recorded on the bank of Ljubljanica River at Moste, Ljubljana (UTM VM60, Central Slovenia); in this case, too, an individual from captivity (E category) was presumably observed, judging by its unsuspicious behaviour. Apart from these records, a single individual was registered on 29 Mar 2008 at Rački Ponds (UTM WM54, NE Slovenia). Considering the circumstances of the above observations, as well as increase and expansion of the naturalised population north of the Alps, the authors infer that this individual belonged to the above mentioned population and that it should thus be most appropriately included, in the list of birds registered in Slovenia, in the category of species occurring as vagrants from naturalized populations abroad (C5).
Keywords: gosi, Alopochen aegyptiacus, zoologija, Slovenija, zoogeografija
Published in DiRROS: 07.08.2024; Views: 193; Downloads: 102
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4. The GMOseek matrix : a decision support tool for optimizing the detection of genetically modified plantsAnnette Block, Frédéric Debode, Lutz Grohmann, Julie Hulin, Isabel Taverniers, Linda Kluga, Elodie Barbau-Piednoir, Sylvia Broeders, Ingrid Huber, Marc Bulcke, Petra Heinze, Gilbert Berben, Ulrich Busch, Nancy Roosens, Erik Janssen, Jana Žel, Kristina Gruden, Dany Morisset, 2013, original scientific article Abstract: Background
Since their first commercialization, the diversity of taxa and the genetic composition of transgene sequences in genetically modified plants (GMOs) are constantly increasing. To date, the detection of GMOs and derived products is commonly performed by PCR-based methods targeting specific DNA sequences introduced into the host genome. Information available regarding the GMOs’ molecular characterization is dispersed and not appropriately organized. For this reason, GMO testing is very challenging and requires more complex screening strategies and decision making schemes, demanding in return the use of efficient bioinformatics tools relying on reliable information.
Description
The GMOseek matrix was built as a comprehensive, online open-access tabulated database which provides a reliable, comprehensive and user-friendly overview of 328 GMO events and 247 different genetic elements (status: 18/07/2013). The GMOseek matrix is aiming to facilitate GMO detection from plant origin at different phases of the analysis. It assists in selecting the targets for a screening analysis, interpreting the screening results, checking the occurrence of a screening element in a group of selected GMOs, identifying gaps in the available pool of GMO detection methods, and designing a decision tree. The GMOseek matrix is an independent database with effective functionalities in a format facilitating transferability to other platforms. Data were collected from all available sources and experimentally tested where detection methods and certified reference materials (CRMs) were available.
Conclusions
The GMOseek matrix is currently a unique and very valuable tool with reliable information on GMOs from plant origin and their present genetic elements that enables further development of appropriate strategies for GMO detection. It is flexible enough to be further updated with new information and integrated in different applications and platforms.
Keywords: genetically modified organism, GMO, GMO screening, matrix approach, genetically modified plant
Published in DiRROS: 02.08.2024; Views: 234; Downloads: 176
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5. Improvement of the ecological status of the Cymodocea nodosa meadow near the Port of KoperMartina Orlando-Bonaca, Erik Lipej, Romina Bonaca, Leon Lojze Zamuda, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Seagrass beds are more or less the marine counterpart of tropical rainforests, and their health is related to different anthropogenic stressors, including navigation routes and port activities. In the Mediterranean Sea, Cymodocea nodosa is considered an effective indicator of environmental change, due to its universal distribution, sensitivity to various natural and anthropogenic pressures, and the measurability of the species’ responses to impacts. The aim of this study is to present the changes in the assessment of the ecological status of the C. nodosa meadow near the port of Koper, which was evaluated as Bad in 2018. The results show a significant improvement in the ecological status of the meadow, which can be attributed to a reduction in anthropogenic stressors.
Published in DiRROS: 01.08.2024; Views: 188; Downloads: 202
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6. Phase angle as a prognostic indicator of surgical outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal cancerJana Gulin, Ester Ipavic, Denis Mlakar-Mastnak, Erik Brecelj, Ibrahim Edhemović, Nada Rotovnik-Kozjek, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: phase angle, colorectal cancer, postoperative complications, malnutrition
Published in DiRROS: 26.07.2024; Views: 393; Downloads: 52
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7. The prognostic significance of tumor-immune microenvironment in ascites of patients with high-grade serous carcinomaSimona Miceska, Erik Škof, Simon Buček, Cvetka Grašič-Kuhar, Gorana Gašljević, Špela Smrkolj, Veronika Kloboves-Prevodnik, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Background: High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is often associated with ascites at presentation. Our objective was to quantify immune cells (ICs) in ascites prior to any treatment was given and evaluate their impact on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Patients and methods: Forty-seven patients with primary HGSC and ascites were included. Flow-cytometric analysis was performed to detect percentages of CD3+ T cells (CD4+, CD8+, Tregs, and NKT cells), B cells, NK cells (CD56brightCD16- and CD56dimCD16+ subsets), macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Furthermore, CD103 expression was analyzed on T cells and their subsets, while PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on all ICs. Cut-off of low and high percentages of ICs was determined by the median of variables, and correlation with PFS and OS was calculated. Results: CD3+ cells were the predominant ICs (median 51%), while the presence of other ICs was much lower (median ≤10%). CD103+ expression was mostly present on CD8+, and not CD4+ cells. PD-1 was mainly expressed on CD3+ T cells (median 20%), lower expression was observed on other ICs (median ≤10%). PD-L1 expression was not detected. High percentages of CD103+CD3+ T cells, PD-1+ Tregs, CD56brightCD16- NK cells, and DCs correlated with prolonged PFS and OS, while high percentages of CD8+ cells, macrophages, and PD-1+CD56brightCD16- NK cells, along with low percentages of CD4+ cells, correlated with better OS only. DCs were the only independent prognostic marker among all ICs. Conclusions: Our results highlight the potential of ascites tumor-immune microenvironment to provide additional prognostic information for HGSC patients. However, a larger patient cohort and longer follow-up are needed to confirm our finBackground: High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is often associated with ascites at presentation. Our objective was to quantify immune cells (ICs) in ascites prior to any treatment was given and evaluate their impact on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Patients and methods: Forty-seven patients with primary HGSC and ascites were included. Flow-cytometric analysis was performed to detect percentages of CD3+ T cells (CD4+, CD8+, Tregs, and NKT cells), B cells, NK cells (CD56brightCD16- and CD56dimCD16+ subsets), macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Furthermore, CD103 expression was analyzed on T cells and their subsets, while PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on all ICs. Cut-off of low and high percentages of ICs was determined by the median of variables, and correlation with PFS and OS was calculated. Results: CD3+ cells were the predominant ICs (median 51%), while the presence of other ICs was much lower (median ≤10%). CD103+ expression was mostly present on CD8+, and not CD4+ cells. PD-1 was mainly expressed on CD3+ T cells (median 20%), lower expression was observed on other ICs (median ≤10%). PD-L1 expression was not detected. High percentages of CD103+CD3+ T cells, PD-1+ Tregs, CD56brightCD16- NK cells, and DCs correlated with prolonged PFS and OS, while high percentages of CD8+ cells, macrophages, and PD-1+CD56brightCD16- NK cells, along with low percentages of CD4+ cells, correlated with better OS only. DCs were the only independent prognostic marker among all ICs. Conclusions: Our results highlight the potential of ascites tumor-immune microenvironment to provide additional prognostic information for HGSC patients. However, a larger patient cohort and longer follow-up are needed to confirm our findings.dings.
Keywords: high-grade serous carcinoma, immune cells, prognostic markers
Published in DiRROS: 26.07.2024; Views: 426; Downloads: 184
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8. Association between PIK3CA activating mutations and outcomes in early-stage invasive lobular breast carcinoma treated with adjuvant systemic therapyDomen Ribnikar, Valentina Jerič Horvat, Ivica Ratoša, Zachary Veitch, Biljana Grčar-Kuzmanov, Srdjan Novaković, Erik Langerholc, Eitan Amir, Boštjan Šeruga, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the independent prognostic role of PIK3CA activating mutationsand an association between PIK3CA activating mutations and efficacy of adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) in patientswith operable invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC).Patients and methods.A single institution study of patients with early-stage ILC treated between 2003 and 2008 wasperformed. Clinicopathological parameters, systemic therapy exposure and outcomes (distant metastasis-free sur-vival [DMFS] and overall survival [OS]) were collected based on presence or absence of PIK3CA activating mutationin the primary tumor determined using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay. An associationbetween PIK3CA mutation status and prognosis in all patient cohort was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,whereas an association between PIK3CA mutation and ET was analyzed in estrogen receptors (ER) and/or progester-one receptors (PR)-positive group of our patients by the Cox proportional hazards model.Results. Median age at diagnosis of all patients was 62.8 years and median follow-up time was 10.8 years. Among365 patients, PIK3CA activating mutations were identified in 45%. PIK3CA activating mutations were not associatedwith differential DMFS and OS (p = 0.36 and p = 0.42, respectively). In patients with PIK3CA mutation each year oftamoxifen (TAM) or aromatase inhibitor (AI) decreased the risk of death by 27% and 21% in comparison to no ET, re-spectively. The type and duration of ET did not have significant impact on DMFS, however longer duration of ET hada favourable impact on OS.Conclusions. PIK3CA activating mutations are not associated with an impact on DMFS and OS in early-stage ILC.Patients with PIK3CA mutation had a statistically significantly decreased risk of death irrespective of whether theyreceived TAM or an AI.
Keywords: invasive lobular carcinoma, PIK3CA mutation, endocrine therapy
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 214; Downloads: 76
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9. Five-year monitoring of the ecological status of the Cymodocea nodosa meadow near the Port of KoperMartina Orlando-Bonaca, Diego Bonaca, Romina Bonaca, Erik Lipej, Domen Trkov, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Seagrass meadows are among the most productive ecosystems in marine environments worldwide and are
often considered to symbolise near-pristine conditions on sedimentary bottoms, but their condition is associated to various types of anthropogenic stressors. In the Mediterranean Sea, Cymodocea nodosa is considered
an effective indicator of environmental change, due to its universal distribution, its sensitivity to various natural
and anthropogenic pressures, and the measurability of the species’ responses to these impacts. The aim of this
study is to present the improvement of the ecological status of the C. nodosa meadow near the port of Koper
over a period of five years and to compare these results with the reference site in the northern Adriatic Sea.
Keywords: Cymodocea nodosa, MediSkew index, Port of Koper, status assessment, northern Adriatic Sea
Published in DiRROS: 09.07.2024; Views: 266; Downloads: 224
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10. Potential of osteopontin in the management of epithelial ovarian cancerKatarina Černe, Benjamin Hadžialjević, Erik Škof, Borut Kobal, 2019, original scientific article Keywords: advanced ovarian cancer, osteopontin, osteopontin, serum, ascites
Published in DiRROS: 05.07.2024; Views: 220; Downloads: 75
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